Upright-piano action.



No. 640,892. Patented Ian. 9, |900. W. 4C. ELLIS. UPHIGHT PIANO ACTION.

(Application led J an. 21, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet l.

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W. C. ELLIS.

UPRIGHT PIANO ACTION.

(Application led Jan. 21, 1399J 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(llo Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VILLIAM O. ELLIS, OF VOROESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TOSAMUEL MAVVHINNEY, OF SAME PLACE.

UPRIGHT-PIANO ACTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,892, dated January9, 1900.

Application tiled January Z1, 1899. Serial No. 702,878. (No model.)

'To all whom t may cm2/cern:

Be it known that LWILLIAM C. ELLIs,a citizen of the United States,residing at W orcester, in the county of Worcester and State ofMassachusetts, have invented a new and useful Upright-Piano Action,ofwhich the following, together with the accompanying drawings, is aspeciiicat-ion sufficiently full, clear, and exact to enable personsskilled in the art to which this invention appert-ains to malte and usethe same.

The objects of my invention are, first, to provide an upright-pianoaction that can be adjusted with convenience and facility and inhighly-efficient capacity for rendering the relative movements accurateand easy in practice; second, to enhance the repeating Acapacity of thepiano-action and to render the touch free, delicate, and uniform; third,to obviate lost motion or backlash between the parts of the action fromthe key to the hammer, and, fourth, to afford in a pianoaction means forreducing the throw of the manual-key and other moving` parts inrelatively uniform proportions and according to the requirements of thestriking movement yof the hammers when the soft-pedal expression isapplied.

Minor objects and features of my invention will be understood from theexplanations set forth in the following detailed description, theparticular subject-matter claimed being hereinafter definitelyspecified.

The preferred construction of apiano-action embodying my presentinvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1is a front View of certain parts of my improved piano-action. Fig. 2 isa side view of the action mechanism and manualkey at normal posit-ion ofrest, the key-table and laterally-extending parts being shown incross-section. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of two keys to show thelifter-connecting devices. Fig. 4L is a sideview, on a larger scaleshowing the hammer, its actuating-jack, and adjacent mechanism as atelevated position. Fig. 5 is a separate rear View of the jack. Fig. 6 isa top view of one of the joint-pieces for the hammer-hinge and damperfulcrumpivots, and Fig. 7 shows a modification in the construction ofthe hammer-stop devices.

Referring to the drawings, the part marked A thereon represents theusual table or frame for supporting the manual-keys K, arranged thereonin Well-known manner to tilt on the fulcrum-bar @when playing.

B, B', and B2 indicate the stationary rails or fra 1n e-bars that extendentirely across the action and upon which the bearing pieces, flanges,or ears that carry the hinging-pivots and support the movable parts areattached.

O indicates the lifter, which in accordance with my invention consistsof a rod preferably of metal Wire having a Wooden head c fixed on itstop end and a screw-thread O out on its lower end, and upon which thereis threaded an adjusting-hub or foot-piece Oi", that stands upon and issecured to a tab of felt or suitable fabric O3, which in turn rests uponand is secured to the top of the manual-key K. In the present instancethe tab O3 is detachably secured by the downwardly-pointed rear end of aspring or wire fastener 7o, the fore end of which is driven into thekey. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) The connection of the adjusting-hub O2 andfelt OS is made bya centrallydisposed screw C5, which permits rotationof the hub without interfering with its connection to the key.

D indicates the damper, having its lever D fulcrumed at d for movementin Well-known manner, and E indicates a damper-actuator consisting of anangle-lever fulcrumed at ein the flange or bearing attached to theframebar B and having the end of its fore arm pivoted in the lifter-headat 4, while its upwardly-extending rear arm is provided with a threadedopening and has arranged therethrough an adj Listing-screw E2, thatcarries a a padded button which impinges against and actuates thedamper-lever when the lifter is raised.

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and having a tailfproperly bent upward and forward for contact with theknock-off G. This jack-rod is provided with a head F, of wood orsuitable material, the tip or upper end of which is widened at the topor wedgeshaped, presenting an inclined or curved end surface 5, thatacts against the packing-covered shoulder 7L of the hammer-butt, a rearsurface 6 for contact with the back cushion 7, and a forwardly-inclinedfront surface 9, which latter is best covered with a cushion of feltorsoft material. (See Figs. l, 4i, and 7.) A spring S connects thedamperactuator E and jack F fornormally swinging the latter in backwarddirection and preventing` undue vibration of the parts.

The hammer-stop, which is combined with the hammer-butt for acting inconjunction with the head of the jack, I arrange in peculiar operativerelation, said hammer-stop comprising an arm or wire I', iixed in andprojecting forward from the hammer-butt II, said arm returned at itslower part and having the stop-knob or cushioned button I supportedthereby opposite the face 9 of the jack-tip. The hammer-stop is bestmade adjustable inward and outward in relation to the jack-tip, in thepresent instance by a screw-thread on the returned end of the arm, uponwhich the knob l is threaded, regulation being effected by rotating theknob thereon. If desired in any instance, the stop-knob may benon-adjustably fixed on the arm, or, again, the adjustability can beattained as illustrated in Fig. '7, wherein the lower portion of the armis made as a screw l2, threaded into the outer rigid portion l3 of thearm l. This modification is adapted to a construction in which the armis made of wood.

Fixed in the side of the hammer-butt there is a link or hook J, thelower part of which extends beneath a felt-covered pin n, projectinglaterally from the jack-head and serving as a coupling to confine thejack-head and hammer-butt in adjacent relation, but with a sufficientdegree ot' looseness or clearancespace to a'tford ample freedom ofaction for the recoil and recovery of the jack in its actuation of thehammer, while at the same time preventing any great degree of lostmotion or backlash between the end of the jack and the shoulder h of thehammer-butt. The hook J can be swung back out of engagement when it isdesired to take the action apart or reassemble the parts. The hammer Hand damper D are provided with the usual springs a: and of.

`When the hammer is at its normal position of rest, (see Figs. l and 7,)it is stopped and supported by the hammer-stop I making contact with thefront of the jack-head at the lower part of the inclined face 9, theheel or rear face 6 of the jack-head resting against the cushion 7 andits end surface 5 abutting vagainst the shoulder 71., substantially asindicated.

Vhen the hammer is thrown up for sounding the string, it is stopped andmaybe held at the limit of its rebound (see Fig. et) by the ham mer-stopI making contact with the upper forwardly-protruding part of the face 9of the jack-tip, the j ack-head being then held forward by the contactof the tailf with the knock-off G and the heel or angle between thesurfaces 5 and G resting against the curve of the shoulder lr.

It will be observed that in my invention thc usually-employed hammer-rest rail, backcheck finger, bridle, and rocker or jack-bed aredispensed with, although, if desired, a hammer-rest rail might be usedwithout detriment; but such rail is not essential to the proper workingof this action.

The hammerand the damper levers are preferably pivoted on the sameflange-piece l), secured to the frame-bar l, the pivot-joints beingdisposed as shown.

The hammer-axis pivot i is best firmly fixed in the hinging-ear of thehammer-butt and the projecting ends of the pivot laid into recessesformed inA the end of the flange-piece l) with suitable packing andthere retained by an adjustable bifurcated slightly-yielding plate l0,secured to the frame-bar by a binding-screw 1l (see Figs. 4c and 6) insuch manner that the pressure upon the pivot can be adjusted to preventlooseness or to obviate any stiff working of the joint. The side of thejack-head may be recessed, as at 13, to afford convenient access of ascrew-driver to the screws ll when desired.

The damper-pivot d is arranged on the rear end of the flange-piece l)and is retained in its seat by the bifurcated metal plate cl, the latterserving as a holder for the pivot d and a washer for the attaching-screwb2, as indicated. I

- In the provision of means i'or graduating or varying the throw ormovement of the keys under the control of the soft-pedaling action andfor keeping the actuating parts in close proximity of contact whileexecuting their functions I arrange, in combination with themanual-keys, alifting-barL, extending transversely across the manual andadapted to be operated by or in conjunction with the usual soft pedal,the end of the pedal-connecting pitman being` shown at I), Fig. l. SaidbarL can be movably mounted in a suitable manner, as by swing-bracketsL', pivoted to the frame at O to rise and fall by the pedalaction. Acushioned stop M is arranged beneath the bar L to limit its downwardmovement, and an adjustable cushioned stop N is arranged to engage thebar or its supporter L for limiting the upward movement of said bar.

The ends of the manual-keys K when dropped or idle have support upon thebar L, preferably by means of adjusting-buttons m, the Shanks m' ofwhich are threaded through the respective key-levers and accessible fromabove, as illustrated. Then the bar L is lifted, the rear part of themanual is raised,

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thereby shortening the stroke or dip movement of the keys in a degreeapproximately corresponding to the reduced movement of the hammer undersoft expression.

The pedal and levers for moving the pitman P may be the same as commonlyused, and being well known it is deemed unnecessary to illustrate anddescribe them more fully herein.

In the operation of the piano-action mechanism constructed and arrangedas hereinbefore described the part-s are maintained with- ,and movement.

out backlash or lost motion between their impinging surfaces and the dipof the key under varyin g conditions is reduced or varied so that thekey position and movement correspond to the requirement of the hammerposition The bar L by following up beneath the key-stop m as the softpedal is applied prevents a too long key stroke and violent throw of thehammer, and the acting parts being linked together, as illustrated,affords such control of the hammer from the end of the key that theforce of impact of the hammer against the stringis completely under themanagement of the player.

To the ordinary retractor-bar R, which is hinged to the frame-bar B andWorked by the arm and loud-pedal pitman F, I attach an auxiliary bar orreinforce r, and horizontally through the latter there is arranged aseries of threaded screws t, accessible at the front and each carryingat its rear end a presserbutton that is disposed forimpinging againstand moving a damper-lever when the bar R is swung backward. Thisconstruction provides for a ready adjustment between the retractor-bar Rand the individual dampers, whereby accurate and simultaneous contact orrelief of ihe damping action upon the strings is attained throughout theentire series of dampers.

The stationary lower frame-bar B', which carries the fulcrum-supports ofthe damperactuatinglevers E, is best arranged below said levers, and Iprovide thereon a cushion or felt-covered rib u, disposed adjacentbeneath the lever-arms between their f ulcrum e and the lifter C. Saidrib or cushion serves to prevent the action mechanism from dropping downor out of regular alinement when thev action is disconnected and removedfrom the manual and instrument-case.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- I. Inapiano-action, the lifter-rod provided with the threaded end, and thethreaded adjusting-hub or foot-piece rotatable thereon, in combinationwith the key, and a fabric tab connecting said foot-piece and key, forthe purpose set forth.

2. In a piano-action, the lifter composed of 'a wire screw-threaded atone end, and having a bifurcated wooden head with the pivotbearingstherein,arran ged upon its upper end, and an adjusting-hub or foot-piecearranged on its lower end and adapted for varying the length of thelifter by rotation of the same;

in combination with the manualekey and hammer-actuatingappliances,substantially as set forth.

In a piano-action,adamper-actuatorconsisting of an angularly-bent wirelever fulcrumed at or near its angle-bend, the end of its fore armpivoted in the uprightlifter-head by a transverse pivot-pin, and itsrear arm extending upward in front of the damper-lever, an adjustingescrew threaded through the upper end of said wire, and anon-metallic button carried by said screw and adapted for Contact withsaid damperelever, in combination with the lifter and damper mechanism,substantially as and for Ithe purposes set forth.

4E. The combination with the piano-action mechanism comprising thehammers, hammer-controlling devices, and lifters, and thedamper-actuator levers; of the frame-bar carrying the damperactuatorfulcrums, said frame-bar being provided with a top rib or cushionadjacent beneath said actuator-levers, for the purpose set forth.

5. A hammer-actuating jack composed of wire, provided with a head formedof wood or similar material, said wire having its lower part pivoted inthe bifurcated end of the lifter-rod head and its extremitybent upwardand forward forming a tail for engagement with the knock-off stop; incombination with the lifter, the hammer, and the knock-off device, asset forth.

G. In a piano-action, the upright lifter-rod extending up from the keyand having the pivot-supporting head thereon, the jack-rod pivoteddirectly in the bifurcated top end of said lifter-head, and having theforwardly and upwardly bent tail projecting therefrom, and thedamper-actuator lever, fulcrumed upon a frame-bar in rear of saidlifter, and having the end of its fore arm pivoted within saidlifterhead adjacent below the jackpivot, said fore arm of thedamper-actuator serving as a stay to keep the lifter relatively upright;in combination with the action mechanism, substantially as set forth.

7. In an upright-piano action the combination with the pivotedhammer-butt carrying the hammer, and having the engaging shoulder andback cushion formed thereon as shown; of the hammer-actuating jack, itslower end bent, as at f, and its upper end provided with the head Fhaving the inclined end surface 5, the heel 6, and the forwardlyinclinedfront surface 9, disposed in relation as specified, the hammer-stopconsisting of a projecting rod or arm fixed in and carried by saidhammer-butt, the lower part of said arm rearwardly returned and providedwith a screwthread, the adjusting-knob I arranged on the end of saidarm, the face of said knob disposed opposite to the inclined jack-headsurface 9, and adapted for stop contact therewith at an upper positionon said surface when the hammer is advanced, and at a lower position onsaid surface when IOO IIO

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the hammer recedes, a knock-ofi' for arrestl lifter-rod head, andhavingits top end acting ing the tail of the jack, and the lifter operatingfrom the key and having said jack pivoted in its top end, allsubstantially as described.

8. The combination of the hammer having the hinging-butt,the hammer-stopcarried by an arm fixed to said hammer-butt, the jack having an endsurface that acts against the hammer-butt shoulder, and afoWardly-projecting face for engaging with said hammerstop, a lug or pinon the jack-head, a hook or coupling secured to the hammer-butt andengaging beneath said lug for loosely connecting the jack andhammer-butt, the lifter-rod Working said jack, and the knock-ott fortripping said jack, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with the manual-keys and a piano-action mechanism, ofa transversely-disposed vertically-movable key-stop bar underlying therear ends of the keys, a bed-cushion limiting the downward movement ofsaid bar, an adjustable stop limiting its upward movement, adjusting-buttons arranged in the respective keys and stopping the same againstsaid bar, and means under control of the player for raising anddepressing said bar Within the limit of its motion, for the purpose setforth.

l0. The combination of the hammer and pivoted hammer-butt, the jackpivoted in the against the shoulder on said hammer-butt, the hammer-stopopposite to said jack, coupling devices loosely connecting the jack andhammer-butt, the jack-tripping knock-off, the lifter-rod having theupright head and foot piece, the manual-key, means connecting saidlifter-foot with the key, a movable key-stop bar, adjusting devicesiitted in the keys and stopping against said bar, and means foroperating said key-stop bar to vary the dip of the key and carry thelifter and jack devices higher or lower in relation to the hammer-axis,for the purpose set forth.

Il. The combination With the damper retractor-rod R and damper-levers,of an auxiliary bar r attached to said retractor-rod, and provided witha series of horizontallydisposed screws, threaded into and adjustablethrough said auxiliary bar, their heads accessible at the front, andcarrying at their rear ends contact-buttons for impingement against therespective damper-levers, and means for operating said retractormechanism, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 18th day of January, 1899.

WILLIAM G. ELLIS. lNIitriesses:

(Enns. Il. BURLEIGH, ELLA P. BLENUs.

